System and method for profiling customers for targeted marketing

ABSTRACT

A targeted marketing system and method are provided that provide a customer with customer questions, receive responses to the customer questions from the customer, and store data associated with the responses. The customer is provided with a feedback page that graphically illustrates data associated with the customer&#39;s standing in a selected peer group. The customer is provided with options operable to adjust the customer&#39;s actual demographic to a hypothetical demographic, and data associated with hypothetical demographic changes from the customer is received and processed. Hypothetical feedback information is then displayed that graphically illustrates the hypothetical standing of the customer within the selected peer group such that the customer can see the effect of the hypothetical demographic changes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of data processing andmore particularly to a system and method for profiling customers fortargeted marketing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Businesses have a need to market their products and services topotential customers. Currently, some of them rely on non-targetedadvertising systems such as mass mailings to a general geographic area.However, this approach lacks the ability to target specific potentialcustomers for specific products or services.

Alternatively, some businesses purchase previously compiled statisticaldata. However, the data obtained by this method is limited in that theresearch is typically based on small samples of the population and istypically historical data. Thus, the data is generalized and does notgive the businesses any information regarding the desires or needs ofspecific potential customers.

Still other businesses conduct surveys through telemarketing or othertypes of research companies. Although telemarketing may be used to sellproducts and services to willing customers, this approach requiresbusinesses to contact all potential customers without any knowledge asto the likelihood that any particular one will purchase a specificproduct or service.

Therefore, a need has arisen for a new system and method for profilingcustomers for targeted marketing that overcomes the disadvantages anddeficiencies of prior art systems and methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a system and method forprofiling customers for targeted marketing is provided whichsubstantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problemsassociated with prior systems and methods for marketing.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method ofcompiling customer data using an on-line interaction between a customerand a survey system is provided that supplies the customer withquestions, receives responses, and stores data associated with theresponses. A relative situation display is then provided to the customerthat graphically illustrates data associated with the customer'sstanding in a selected peer group. Later, the customer is provided withthe opportunity to adjust his or her actual situation to a hypotheticalsituation. After receiving and processing the data associated with theseadjustments, hypothetical situation information is displayed thatgraphically illustrates the standing of the customer within the selectedhypothetical peer group such that the customer can see the effect of theadjustments.

An important technical advantage of the present invention is that abusiness may obtain information from customers that allows the businessto target its marketing efforts for specific products and services tospecific customers who are more likely than the general population topurchase those products and services. One important aspect of thepresent invention is that the customer is encouraged to provide data tothe customer survey system because the customer is provided withinteresting and useful information in exchange for that data, such asrelative and hypothetical situation information and information relatingto setting and achieving goals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objectsand advantages thereof, reference is now made to the followingdescriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in whichlike reference numbers indicate like features and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a targeted marketingsystem constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates the routing and exchange ofvarious types of data within one embodiment of a survey systemconstructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a process through whicha potential or existing customer may access one embodiment of a surveysystem constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4a is a diagram showing an embodiment of a survey systemconstructed according to the teachings of the present invention from theperspective of a potential or existing customer.

FIG. 4b is a screen shot depicting one embodiment of a main menu of asurvey system constructed according to the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4c is a screen shot depicting an exemplary planner constructedaccording to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4d is a screen shot depicting an exemplary survey question andpossible answers constructed according to the teachings of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4e is a screen shot depicting an exemplary feedback pageconstructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 4f is a screen shot depicting an exemplary hypothetical “what-if”page constructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIGS. 5 a-d are flowcharts showing the progress of a session using anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6a is a diagram showing the progress of a session using anembodiment of the present invention from the perspective of a business.

FIG. 6b is a screen shot showing an exemplary Interest-Match reportconstructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 6c is a screen shot showing an exemplary TargetMatch reportconstructed according to the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 6d is a screen shot depicting one embodiment of a business menu ofa survey system constructed according to the teachings of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a targeted marketing system 10 whichcomprises a survey system 12, a business system 14 and a customer system16. Survey system 12, business system 14 and customer system 16 arecoupled to one another and communicate through a network 18. Network 18may comprise a plurality of communication lines 20.

In general, the system of the present invention allows a business tosurvey specific customers and to identify ones of such customers thatmight want to purchase particular products or services. This isaccomplished by encouraging the customer to complete a series ofdemographic questions. The customer wants to do this because at the endof the process the customer receives feedback showing where he standsrelative to his peers. The customer is also allowed to explore various“what-if” scenarios to see how his relative position changes whenvarious elements of his demographic are altered. Accordingly, thecustomer receives valuable evaluative information as a result of theprocess and the business receives information that allows forhighly-defined targeted marketing efforts. All of this may beaccomplished in the convenient, non-intrusive environment of an on-lineinteraction.

Business system 14 may be used by a business to communicate to surveysystem 12 the business' preferences regarding a survey for its existingor potential customers. These preferences may include survey questionsand answers, as well as color schemes, logos, advertisements, and thelike. Survey system 12 may then prepare a customized survey for thatbusiness' existing or potential customers.

When a customer accesses the survey, survey system 12 may requestdemographic information to characterize that customer. This informationmay include income level, number of children, education level, gender,age, or any other information. After the customer has been characterizedusing the information supplied by the customer, survey system 12 maypresent survey questions to the customer. Once the survey, or aspecified portion of it, is completed by the customer, survey system 12may then transmit graphical feedback reports to customer system 16 toshow the customer how his or her responses compare to responses of othercustomers with the same or similar demographics.

Survey system 12 may also process the data associated with numerousdemographics and survey responses in order to prepare customized reportsfor the business. Business system 14 may then retrieve from surveysystem 12 these customized reports, allowing the business to target itsmarketing efforts to specific potential customers who may be more likelyto purchase specific products or services than other potentialcustomers.

Communication lines 20 may be any type of communication link capable ofsupporting data transfer. In one embodiment, the communication lines 20may comprise, alone or in combination, Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN), Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL), T1 or T3communication lines, hardwire lines, or telephone links It will beunderstood that the communication lines 20 may comprise other suitabletypes of data communication links. Communication lines 20 may alsoconnect to a plurality of intermediate servers between network 18 andsurvey system 12, business system 14 and customer system 16.

In one embodiment, the network 18 may comprise dial access via atelephone link. In this embodiment, survey system 12, business system 14and customer system 16 may be remote from each other and locatedanywhere in the world. In one embodiment, systems 12, 14 and 16 mayconnect and communicate with each other via modems and analog or digitalcommunication lines. Moreover, the network 18 may be any interconnectionfound on any computer network such as a local area network (LAN), a widearea network (WAN), the Internet, or any other communications and dataexchange systems created by connecting two or more computers.

As shown in FIG. 1, survey system 12 comprises matching server 22 andmatching database 24. Matching server 22 may comprise a dedicatedcomputer, with one or more processors, one or more input devices, one ormore output devices, and one or more communication devices.

Business system 14 comprises business server 26 and business database28. Business server 26 comprises mapping table 30. Mapping table 30 maybe a relational data structure that provides a correlation between aninput and an output. Business system 14 may further comprise one or morefirewalls 32. In one embodiment, firewall 32 may be located betweennetwork 18 and business server 26. Firewall 32 protects business system14 from both intentional and unintentional damage which could passthrough network 18. Firewall 32 may comprise hardware such as a computerwith security measures, e.g., a dial-back feature, or may comprisedefensive coding software. In general, firewall 32 receives data fromnetwork 18, determines whether the data could be harmful and, if not,transmits the data to business system 14. In an alternative embodiment,one or more firewalls 32 may be placed between business server 26 andbusiness database 28, between network 18 and matching server 22, betweenmatching server 22 and matching database 24, or in any other suitablelocation.

Customer system 16 may be a personal computer that comprises a processor34; one or more input devices, such as a keyboard 36 or a mouse 38; oneor more output devices, such as a printer or display 40; and acommunication device, such as a modem 42.

As will be described in more detail below, business system 14communicates with survey system 12 through network 18. Business system14 provides to survey system 12 a variety of information to customizethe survey to be completed by a business' existing or potentialcustomers, such as questions and answers, color choices, logos,advertisements, banners, services and products, product information,application information, or the like.

After a business has provided the necessary information to survey system12, an existing or potential customer using customer system 16communicates with survey system 12 through network 18 and providesinformation that may be used by survey system 12 to create a demographiccharacterization of that customer. This information may include incomelevel, number of children, education level, gender, age, or the like.The customer then provides to survey system 12 responses to the seriesof survey questions previously chosen by the business. Survey system 12may then process the data associated with numerous customers'demographics and survey responses in order to present product andservice information to the customer while he or she is on-line and toprepare customized reports for the business. Business system 14 may thenretrieve from survey system 12 through network 18 these customizedreports, allowing the business to target its marketing efforts tospecific potential customers who may be more likely to purchase specificproducts or services than other potential customers. Business system 14may also retrieve from survey system 12 any applications received fromcustomers requesting specific products or services.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates the routing and exchange ofvarious types of data within survey system 12. In general, survey system12 prepares customized surveys based on data received from businesssystem 14, characterizes customers based on demographic information,submits surveys to customers, stores responses to surveys, presentsfeedback to customers, presents product and service information tocustomers, receives applications from customers, and prepares reportsfor business system 14 to use for targeted marketing.

Survey system 12 may comprise a number of features designed to benefitcustomers in order to encourage them to complete the survey. Forexample, survey system 12 may provide to customer system 16 graphicalreports that compare the customer's responses to the responses of othercustomers with the same demographics. Survey system 12 may also comprisea feature that allows a user of customer system 16 to retrieveinformation regarding a business' products or services and to apply forthose products or services. The applications for the products orservices may be stored by survey system 12 in matching database 24 forlater retrieval by business system 14. Survey system 12 may alsocomprise a feature that allows a customer to partially complete thesurvey by storing data in matching database 24 regarding which surveyquestion was last answered by the customer and on what date. When thatcustomer later returns to complete more of the survey, survey system 12may then present the subsequent question without requiring the customerto start again from the first question. In these situations in which thecustomer only partially completes the survey, survey system 12 maydisplay a customized menu to show the user of customer system 16 whatpercentage of the survey he or she has completed and the date of themost recent visit. Survey system 12 may also comprise a feature thatallows a customer to provide information regarding certain financialgoals, such as retirement or education, and to graphically ascertain inreal time what adjustments need to be made to meet those goals.

As shown in FIG. 2, survey system 12 comprises communication interface44 and control unit 46. Communication interface 44 allows survey system12 to communicate through network 18 with business system 14 andcustomer system 16. Control unit 46 comprises page generator 48,graphical report generator 49, survey creation/maintenance controller50, and business report generator 51.

Page generator 48, graphical report generator 49, surveycreation/maintenance controller 50, and business report generator 51 mayall access matching database 24. Matching database 24 may comprise aplurality of tables containing useful data. These tables may include,among others, business identification table 52, customer identificationtable 54, customer navigation history table 56, customer response table58, question and answer tables 60, survey flow table 61,banners/logos/advertisements/colors table 62, images table 64,product/service information table 65, application table 66, authorizedentry identification table 68 and stored reports table 70. Customerresponse table 58 may comprise customer demographics 72 created bysurvey system 12 from information provided by customers, and applicationtable 66 may comprise completed application table 74 with applicationinformation received from customers.

Page generator 48 may retrieve data from tables 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 61,62, 64, 65 and 66 in order to generate data sets which may be sentthrough communication interface 44 and network 18 to business system 14or customer system 16. For example, page generator 48 may receive anidentification number from customer system 16, as described in moredetail below in connection with FIG. 3. Page generator 48 may match thisidentification number with data in business identification table 52 andcustomer identification table 54 in order to allow page generator 48 toretrieve the corresponding data from tables 56, 58, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65,and 66 that is associated with that particular business and thatparticular customer. Using the retrieved data, page generator 48 maygenerate the data sets and display them at customer system 16. Pagegenerator 48 may also generate data sets in a similar manner forcommunication with business system 14. The data sets generated by pagegenerator 48 may be used either to communicate information produced bysurvey system 12 to customers or businesses or to prompt customers orbusinesses to communicate information to survey system 12.

Thus, page generator 48 does not generate the same data sets for allcustomers, but instead generates data sets that are customized both forthe business and for the customer. For example, when a user of customersystem 16 accesses survey system 12, page generator 48 may determinewhich business is associated with that customer. After establishingthis, page generator 48 may retrieve information regarding thatbusiness' preferences for presenting a survey for that customer, such ascolors, banners, logos, advertisements, questions and answers, products,services and applications. Thus, page generator 48 presents differentdata sets depending on which business is involved. In addition, pagegenerator 48 may also retrieve information regarding the customer, suchas how the customer responded to demographic questions and which surveyquestions the customer has already answered. Page generator 48 may usethis information in addition to the business-related information togenerate data sets within the survey, such as by customizing the surveymenu to show the percentage completed by that customer and the previousdate of entry.

Page generator 48 may also determine which question to present next tothe customer based on the business identification number and thecustomer's response to the previous question. The businessidentification number is used by page generator 48 to access the set ofquestions associated with that business in matching database 24. Thus,each business may choose a different set of questions that may becustomized to include questions related to any or all products andservices the business offers while omitting questions related to anyproducts or services that it does not offer. The customer's response tothe previous question may be used by page generator 48 to omit questionschosen by the business for inclusion in the survey but made irrelevantby the customer's previous response. For example, if a customer respondsto a question that he or she rents housing, page generator 48 could skipsubsequent questions relating to mortgage payments because they wouldnot apply to that customer.

Page generator 48 may also present advertisements for products andservices during the survey. These advertisements may be chosen based onthe customer's demographics, as well as the subject matter of theassociated survey questions. In addition, the advertisements may bechosen based on the combination of the customer's demographics and hisor her responses to the previous survey questions. Thus, the choice ofadvertisements may be updated as the customer responds to surveyquestions and survey system 12 can better determine to whichadvertisements that particular customer will respond favorably.

In order to determine which advertisement to display initially, surveysystem 12 may compare the customer's demographics to the attributes ofeach previously established “demographic” profile. Survey system 12 maythen select the “demographic” profile with matching attributes. Surveysystem 12 may then select the product or service with the highestprobability of purchase for that “demographic” profile. Finally, surveysystem 12 may select from matching database 24 advertisements and/orlinks for those products or services to display for the customer. As thecustomer responds to the survey questions, survey system 12 may updatethe choice of advertisement by repeating the above process for profilesbased on all data as opposed to profiles based on demographic data only.Thus, with each response from a customer, survey system 12 may updatethe s “all data” profile for that particular customer and choose a newadvertisement from matching database 24 with a more reliable probabilityof purchase each time.

Graphical report generator 49 may use data processed by survey system 12to generate graphical reports for users of customer system 16. Thesegraphical reports show the customer how his or her survey responsescompare to the survey responses of other customers with the samedemographics. Thus, as with the data sets generated by page generator48, these graphical reports are customized for each customer because thedata presented will vary based on the particular customer'sdemographics. Graphical report generator 49 also comprisessummary/what-if routine 76 which generates graphical summaries of thecomparison data previously prepared by the graphical report generator49. Summary/what-if routine 76 also generates graphical summaries ofcomparison data based on hypothetical adjustments made by a customer tohis or her demographics, such as number of children, income level, orthe like. The reports produced by graphical report generator 49 may begenerated in real time and may be stored in matching database 24 instored reports table 70.

Survey creation/maintenance controller 50 may retrieve data from andstore data in matching database 24. Thus, the data retrieved by pagegenerator 48 and graphical report generator 49 from tables 52, 54, 56,58, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65 and 66 may be created and edited by surveycreation/maintenance controller 50. According to one embodiment of thepresent invention, survey creation/maintenance controller 50 may bemanipulated by a user of survey system 12 in order to establishcustomized surveys for businesses. In an alternative embodiment, abusiness may manipulate survey creation/maintenance controller 50 usingbusiness system 14 to create or edit its own survey.

Business report generator 51 may use data processed by survey system 12to generate reports for users of business system 14. As described inmore detail below in connection with FIGS. 6a-d, business reportgenerator 51 may generate a variety of reports based on the dataobtained through the demographics, survey responses, and plannerinformation collected from customer systems 16.

Survey system 12 may further comprise an anonymity feature to ensurethat the identity of a user of customer system 16 would only beavailable to the business. For example, a customer may be required toaccess business system 14 before being given access to survey system 12.While the customer is accessing business system 14, business system 14may request a customer identification number, such as an account numberor any other specially designated personal identification number(s).Business system 14 may then validate and encrypt the customeridentification number using mapping table 30, with the customeridentification number as the input and the encrypted number as theoutput. This encrypted number may then be provided to survey system 12to identify that particular customer.

Therefore, unless a customer provides information while applying forproducts or services, survey system 12 may never have access to theoriginal customer identification number, making it impossible for surveysystem 12 to identify the actual customer by name, address, or any othermeans. This anonymity feature will encourage users of customer system 16to provide the personal information to survey system 12 that isbeneficial for targeted marketing. If the customer does apply for aproduct or service and provides identifying information to survey system12, this information may be stored in completed application table 74 ofmatching database 24 with security features designed to preventunauthorized access. In addition, this identifying information may beimmediately deleted from matching database 24 after it is retrieved bybusiness system 14. Finally, as another security feature, the dataentered by the customer may be encrypted before being transmitted fromcustomer system 16 to survey system 12. In accordance with this feature,the data may be encoded using a mathematical formula, for example, thatmakes the data unreadable without the survey system's 12 key to decodeit.

Survey system 12 further comprises a set of graphical planners 80 withwhich users of customer system 16 may set and see how to attainfinancial goals for various situations, such as retirement, education,vacation, or the like. These planners 80 are beneficial because theyprovide the user of customer system 16 the opportunity to easily seewhat adjustments, if any, the customer needs to make in order to meethis or her financial goals. This feature may be used as a reward forcustomers and may motivate them to access survey system 12 and provideresponses to a survey. In addition, survey system 12 may store the dataentered by a user of customer system 16 when setting these financialgoals. Survey system 12 may then provide the data to the business viabusiness system 14 to allow the business to help the customer attainthose financial goals by marketing related products and services to thatcustomer.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a process through whicha user of customer system 16 may access survey system 12. In thisembodiment, a user of customer system 16 first accesses business system14 through network 18, as shown in step 100. The method then proceeds tostep 102 where business system 14 prompts the customer to enter acustomer identification number. This customer identification number maycomprise one or more identifying numbers or words, such as an accountnumber, a name, a birth date, or the like. After the customer enters theidentification number in step 104, business system 14 verifies that theidentification number is valid, as shown in step 106. If theidentification number is invalid, business system 14 notifies thecustomer and allows the customer to choose whether to enter a new numberor contact the business, as shown in step 108. If the customer choosesto contact the business, business system 14 displays an e-mail page thatprompts the customer to enter the necessary information to notify thebusiness that the identification number is not being accepted, as shownin step 110. Otherwise, the customer is prompted to enter a newidentification number in step 104.

Once the customer has entered a valid identification number, the methodproceeds to step 112 where business system 14 presents an icon to allowthe customer to access survey system 12. If the customer selects theicon, as shown in step 114, business system 14 encrypts the customer'sidentification number using mapping table 30, as shown in step 116. Themethod then proceeds to step 118 where business system 14 passes theencrypted customer identification number and the business' ownidentification number (s) to customer system 16 through network 18.Business system 14 then transfers the customer to survey system 12 instep 122. Finally, survey system 12 retrieves from customer system 16the encrypted customer identification number and the businessidentification number(s) in step 124.

In an alternative embodiment, business system 14 may present an icon toallow the customer to access survey system 12 before business system 14prompts the customer to enter a customer. identification number. If thecustomer then selects the icon, business system 14 may prompt thecustomer to enter a customer identification number. The method may thencontinue as before with step 104 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4a is a process flow diagram showing an embodiment of the presentinvention from the perspective of a user of customer system 16. Block126 shows the customer beginning by accessing business system 14.Through a process such as the one described in connection with FIG. 3,the customer then accesses survey system 12 in block 128, where surveysystem 12 displays a welcome message. If the customer has not accessedsurvey system 12 before, survey system 12 presents a demographicsquestion page to the customer, as shown in block 130. This demographicsquestion page prompts the customer to enter demographic informationabout himself or herself. This demographic information includes personalcharacteristics of the customer, such as income level, number ofchildren, education level, age, gender, and the like. Survey system 12may also present the demographics question page to customers who haveaccessed the survey system in the past if a certain period of time haspassed, such as six months or one year, so that their demographicinformation can be updated. In addition, survey system 12 may prompt thecustomer upon each visit to update demographic information if anycharacteristics have changed since the previous visit.

In block 132, survey system 12 presents to the customer a main menu thatallows the customer to choose which part of the survey to answer andalso allows the customer to access the planners 80 to set financialgoals. FIG. 4a shows two types of choices a customer could make from themain menu. If the customer wants to access the planners 80, he or shemay choose the “goals” option. Survey system 12 may then present a goalsmenu, as shown in block 134. However, if the customer wants to accessthe survey, he or she may choose any one of the survey options from themain menu, such as the “spend” option. The customer may then be giventhe corresponding survey questions that were previously chosen by thebusiness and stored in matching database 24, as shown in block 136.Within the survey section, the customer may receive feedback pages afteranswering each question or each few questions. Then survey system 12 maypresent a “what-if” page, as shown in block 138, after the customer hascompleted the survey section.

FIG. 4b is a screen shot depicting one embodiment of the main menu 500presented by survey system 12 in block 132. This embodiment includesthree survey options: borrow 502, spend 504, and save & invest 506. Itwill be understood that either fewer or more survey options may beincluded without departing from the scope of this invention. Planners 80are accessed through the fourth option of goals 508. Main menu 500 mayalso be customized for each user of customer system 16 by displayingbeneath the survey options 502, 504 and 506 a percentage-completed/dateline 510 to inform the customer what percentage of that survey option heor she has already completed, as well as the date of the most recentvisit.

Returning to FIG. 4a, if the customer chooses goals 508 in block 132,survey system 12 then presents a goals menu in block 134, along with adefault planner 80. The goals menu may be presented in the form of adrop-down selection box that the user may select to access the goalsmenu. This goals menu may include any situation for which a customermight want to set goals. For example, this menu may include choices suchas credit card, down payment, loan payoff, major purchase, retirement,tuition, vacation, wedding, and the like. It will be understood thatother suitable choices relating to financial planning may be included inthis menu without departing from the scope of this invention. After thecustomer chooses one of the options presented by the goals menu, theassociated planner 80 is presented.

FIG. 4c is a screen shot depicting an exemplary planner 80, inparticular a retirement planner 512. Retirement planner 512 comprises aninput section 514, an output section 515, an information button 519, anapply button 520, a goals menu 521, a survey section selector 522, and asave goal button 523. Input section 514 allows a customer to input thenecessary information relating to planning for retirement, such ascurrent amount of savings, current age, retirement age, rate ofinterest, rate of inflation, monthly savings, monthly retirement income,and the like. Output section 515 shows the retirement savings increasinguntil the retirement age and, typically, decreasing afterwards. Byadjusting the figures in input section 514, a customer can determine bysimply looking at output section 515 what actions must be taken in orderto reach his or her retirement goals. Planners 80 may comprise Javaapplets that are sent to customer system 16 through network 18 and whichallow planners 80 to make real-time adjustments to output when thecustomer changes the input. In this way, the customer avoids the delaycaused by requiring customer system 16 to send each change in input tosurvey system 12 through network 18 and survey system 12 to send thecorresponding output back to customer system 16 through network 18. Asan alternative to Java applets, this may be accomplished with any otherminimal footprint application.

Thus, there is no need for the customer to submit one set of changes tothe input information at a time and wait for the corresponding output.This makes possible features such as sliders 516 and arrows 517. Usingsliders 516 and arrows 517, the customer may make continuous adjustmentsback and forth while viewing corresponding changes in the output section515 in real time. For example, as the customer moves the slider 516associated with retirement age to the right or left, the graph shown inthe output section 515 expands or contracts to show the correspondingincrease or decrease in savings before and after retirement. Arrows 517may be used in the same manner to adjust the input information andthereby change the output section 515. Data cells 518 may also be usedto adjust the input information, but data cells 518 allow the customerto input one specific number at a time, as opposed to the continuouschanges possible with sliders 516 and arrows 517.

Information button 519 allows the customer to access information aboutproducts and/or services offered by the business relating to thespecific financial goal the customer has chosen. Apply button 520presents an application that allows the customer to apply for thoseproducts and/or services. Survey system 12 may automatically prepare andtransmit an e-mail message to the business to indicate that such anapplication has been received and stored in completed application table74 of matching database 24 for retrieval by business system 14.According to one embodiment, information button 519 may compriseadjacent text to inform the customer what type of information may beaccessed by clicking on information button 519, and apply button 520 mayalso comprise adjacent text to inform the customer what type of productor service is available through the associated application. Surveysystem 12 may also store in matching database 24 the customer'sidentification number, as well as data relating to whether the customerchose information button 519 or apply button 520 and whether thecustomer submitted an application. This data may be used by businessreport generator 51 to generate reports for business system 14, asdescribed in more detail below in connection with FIG. 6c.

As described above in connection with block 132 of FIG. 4a, the goalsmenu 521 may be presented in the form of a drop-down selection box. Thisgoals menu 521 may include any situation for which a customer might wantto set goals. At any time while the customer is using retirement planner512 or any other planner 80 to set financial goals, the customer mayselect another option from the goals menu 521.

Survey system 12 will then present the appropriate planner 80. Inaddition, at any time while using the retirement planner 512 or anyother planner 80, the customer may choose to switch to another surveysection through the survey section selector 522, which may also bepresented in the form of a drop-down selection box. For example, thecustomer may select “spend” from the survey section selector 522, andsurvey system 12 will then present the appropriate question from thespend section of the survey.

Save goal button 523 allows the customer to save the data entered intoinput section 514 for later retrieval. Survey system 12 may then providethe data to the business via business system 14 to allow the business totarget marketing efforts for products and/or services related to thegoals in which the customer showed an interest.

If, instead of choosing goals 508 from the main menu 500, a customerchooses one of the survey options, such as spend 504, the customer isthen given the corresponding survey questions that were previouslychosen by the business and stored in matching database 24, as shown inblock 136 of FIG. 4a. The possible answers to each question may also bechosen by the business and stored in matching database 24, and they maybe presented with both text and graphics. For example, FIG. 4d is ascreen shot depicting an exemplary question 524 and possible textual andgraphical answers 525 from a spend 504 survey section. This screen alsoincludes the survey section selector 522 described above in connectionwith FIG. 4c to allow the customer to switch to another survey sectionat any time. Also shown in FIG. 4d are a back button 526 and a nextbutton 528. If the customer decides that he or she wants to movebackward to the previous screen, the customer may select the back button526. Alternatively, the customer may select the next button 528 afterchoosing a response to a particular question. Selecting the next button528 allows the customer to go forward to the next screen, which could beeither another question or a feedback page.

FIG. 4e is a screen shot depicting an exemplary feedback page. Afeedback page allows a customer to see after each question or afterevery few questions how his or her responses compare with othercustomers sharing the same or similar demographics. This feature may beused as another reward for customers to motivate them to respond to thesurvey. The feedback page pictured in FIG. 4e comprises one or morecharts 530 and one or more comparison statements 532. Chart 530 could bea pie chart, a bar chart, a percentile chart, or the like. Chart 530shows the customer how all other customers with the same or similardemographics have responded to the previous questions. Comparisonstatement 532 is a statement informing the customer of how the greatestportion of other customers with the same or similar demographicsresponded. On the feedback page, the customer may click on chart 530 orcomparison statement 532 and survey system 12 will present a tally andpercentages for each possible answer. Data represented in chart 530 andcomparison statement 532 may be updated at regular intervals, such asonce each hour or once each day. Alternatively, the data may be updatedwith every response so that each customer's responses are included inthe data presented to that customer in the feedback page. Thus, theinformation presented in the feedback page may change at specified timesto reflect new data received from users of customer system 16.

The feedback page also includes the survey section selector 522described above in connection with FIG. 4c to allow the customer toswitch to another survey section at any time. In addition, each feedbackpage may also comprise information button 519 and apply button 520.Information button 519 allows the customer to access information aboutproducts and/or services offered by the business relating to thematerial presented in the feedback page.

Apply button 520 allows the customer to apply for those products and/orservices. This feature is beneficial to both the customer and thebusiness. The customer has the convenience of applying for a product orservice by simply clicking the apply button 520 and providing theappropriate information, while the business has the marketing advantageprovided by the availability of this application to the customer inconjunction with the material presented in the feedback page. Forexample, a customer may learn from a feedback page that his or her peersgenerally have three credit cards, while he or she has only one. As soonas this information is presented, the customer has the option ofclicking on the apply button 520 and applying for another credit card.Thus, this is one form of targeted marketing provided by the presentinvention. If a customer applies for a product or service in thismanner, survey system 12 may also automatically prepare and transmit ane-mail message to the business to indicate that an application has beenreceived and stored in matching database 24 for retrieval by businesssystem 14.

According to one embodiment, information button 519 may compriseadjacent text to inform the customer what type of information may beaccessed by clicking on information button 519, and apply button 520 mayalso comprise adjacent text to inform the customer what type of productor service is available through the associated application. Surveysystem 12 may also store in matching database 24 the customer'sidentification number, as well as data relating to whether the customerchose information button 519 or apply button 520 and whether thecustomer submitted an application. This data may be used by businessreport generator 51 to generate reports for business system 14, asdescribed in more detail below in connection with FIG. 6c.

The feedback page also comprises a next button 538 to allow the customerto continue to the next screen and an exit button 540 to allow thecustomer to return to the main menu 500, as shown in FIG. 4b and inblock 132 of FIG. 4a. If the customer chooses the next button 538, thecustomer will either continue to another question, such as the one shownin FIG. 4d , or will continue to a “what-if” page if the survey sectionhas been completed.

After the customer has completed any one section of the survey, such asborrow 502, spend 504, or save & invest 506, survey system 12 presents a“what-if” page, as shown in block 138 of FIG. 4a. The “what-if” pagedisplays the information previously communicated to the customer in allthe feedback pages, such as the one shown in FIG. 4e, that areassociated with that particular survey section. Thus, previouslydisplayed charts 530 and comparison statements 532 are redisplayed forthe customer to review. The “what-if” page also displays informationthat relates to topics not presented to the customer during the survey.These topics may not have been presented during the survey because thecustomer's response to a question made the topic irrelevant for thatcustomer. The “what-if” page also allows the customer to makeadjustments by changing his or her demographic parameters such as incomelevel, number of children, and the like. Then survey system 12 displaysthe comparison information for the customer's hypothetical demographic.This allows the customer to see how his or her situation compares withothers who have a demographic the customer wonders about or expects orhopes to have in the future. On the “what-if” page, the customer mayalso click on any one of the charts 530 or comparison statements 532 andsurvey system 12 will present a tally and percentages for each possibleanswer.

FIG. 4f is a screen shot depicting an exemplary “what-if” page. The“what-if” page may comprise a demographic line 542 and a feedbacksection 544. Demographic line 542 may be used by the customer to accessthe comparison data associated with the hypothetical demographic inwhich he or she is interested. This comparison data may then bedisplayed in feedback section 544. Initially, demographic line 542 maybe preset to the customer's actual demographics, and feedback section544 may display the associated comparison data. After making adjustmentsto the parameters in demographic line 542, the customer may click on thego button 546. Survey system 12 may then retrieve the appropriate datafrom matching database 24 and display that data in feedback section 544.The customer may continue to make adjustments and view the comparisondata as often as he or she wishes. Feedback section 544 may comprisemultiple charts 530 and comparison statements 532 that may be accessedthrough scrolling. The “what-if” page also includes the survey sectionselector 522 described above in connection with FIG. 4c to allow thecustomer to switch to another survey section at any time.

In addition, each “what-if” page may also comprise information button519 and apply button 520. Information button 519 allows the customer toaccess information about products and/or services offered by thebusiness. Apply button 520 allows the customer to apply for thoseproducts and/or services. Information button 519 may comprise adjacenttext to inform the customer what type of information may be accessed byclicking on information button 519, and apply button 520 may alsocomprise adjacent text to inform the customer what type of product orservice is available through the associated application. Survey system12 may also store in matching database 24 the customer's identificationnumber, as well as data relating to whether the customer choseinformation button 519 or apply button 520 and whether the customersubmitted an application. This data may be used by business reportgenerator 51 to generate reports for business system 14, as described inmore detail below in connection with FIG. 6c.

FIGS. 5a-d are flowcharts showing one embodiment of the presentinvention. At step 140 of FIG. 5a, survey system 12 presents a welcomedisplay to the user of customer system 16. Next survey system 12determines whether the customer has entered demographic informationpreviously or whether a certain amount of time has passed since thecustomer entered demographic information, as shown in step 142. If thecustomer is new or enough time has passed since the customer entereddemographic information, survey system 12 then presents the demographicsquestion page to the customer in step 144. Alternatively, the customermay choose to have the demographics question page presented if anycharacteristics have changed since the previous visit. The demographicsquestion page prompts the customer to enter information relating to thecustomer's income level, age, gender, and the like. After theinformation has been entered by the customer, survey system U stores thedemographic information in matching database 24, as shown in step 146.If the customer was not required to enter demographic information orafter the demographic information has been stored, survey system 12 nextpresents to the customer the main menu 500 in step 148.

The customer then selects an option from the main menu 500, and surveysystem 12 responds in one of two ways based on which icon the customerselects, as shown in step 150. The customer may select an icon foreither goals 508 or one of the survey options 502, 504 or 506.

As shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, if the customer selects goals 508 in step150, survey system 12 presents a default planner 80 by sending an appletcreated using Java or any other suitable applet technology to customersystem 16, as shown in step 151. Survey system 12 also presents a goalsmenu 521 in step 152 that allows the customer to access a planner 80other than the one originally presented by choosing a new goal type. Ifthe customer selects a new goal type, survey system 12 searches matchingdatabase 24 to determine whether or not the customer has previouslysaved input information for that goal type, as shown in step 154. If thecustomer has saved input information, survey system 12 retrieves thesaved data in step 156. This saved data will be automatically enteredinto the appropriate fields of the input section 514 of the planner 80.If the customer has not saved input information for that goal type,default input information is entered into the input section 514 of theplanner 80. At this point, the customer may enter new input informationor change saved input information, as shown in step 160, in order toadjust the output section 515, as shown in step 162, until the resultsare satisfactory to the customer. As the customer changes the inputinformation, the results in output section 515 are adjusted dynamicallyin real time. The customer may change the input information to see inreal time the corresponding output as often as desired, as indicated insteps 160 and 162. Once the customer has finished making adjustments tothe input information, the customer may choose an option that will savethe input information for future use, as shown in step 164. If thecustomer chooses this option, survey system 12 will save the dataentered into input section 514 in matching database 24 in step 166.Survey system 12 may then provide the data to the business to allow thebusiness to help the customer attain those financial goals by marketingrelated products and services to that customer.

While the customer is using the planner 80, he or she may also selectthe information button 519, as shown in step 170, or the apply button520, as shown in step 176. If the customer selects the informationbutton 519, survey system 12 presents the related information about thebusiness' products and/or services, as shown in step 172. On the otherhand, if the customer selects the apply button 520, survey system 12presents the related application for the business' products and/orservices in step 178. After the customer has entered the requestedinformation, survey system 12 formats the data and transmits it to thecompleted application table 74 of matching database 24 in step 180 forstorage and later retrieval by the business. Survey system 12 mayautomatically prepare and transmit an e-mail message to the business toindicate that such an application has been received. Survey system 12may also store in matching database 24 the customer's identificationnumber, as well as data relating to whether the customer choseinformation button 519 or apply button 520 and whether the customersubmitted an application. This data may be used by business reportgenerator 51 to generate reports for business system 14.

While using the planner 80, the customer may also choose the surveysection selector 522, as shown in step 181. If the customer chooses toswitch to a survey section, survey system 12 will present theappropriate question as shown at step 184 in FIG. 5c.

The customer may also decide to exit the planners 80 or to select a newgoal type, as shown in step 182. If the customer decides to exit theplanners 80, he or she will be returned to the main menu 500, at step148 in FIG. 5a. If the customer decides to select a new goal type,survey system 12 returns to step 152 to allow the customer to make thenew selection.

Returning to the customer's choice of options in the main menu 500, asshown in step 148 of FIG. 5a, the customer may select an icon related toone of the survey options, 502, 504 or 506. In this situation, surveysystem 12 presents a question from the corresponding survey section tothe customer in step 184, as shown in FIG. 5c. While viewing thequestion, the customer may also choose the survey section selector 522,as shown in step 185. If the customer chooses to switch to anothersurvey section, survey system 12 will present the appropriate questionas shown at step 184 in FIG. 5c. However, if the customer chooses aresponse to the presented question in step 186, survey system 12 storesthe response in matching database 24, as shown in step 188. Surveysystem 12 also stores data to indicate that the customer has answeredthis particular question. Survey system 12 may use this data tocustomize the main menu 500 with a percentage-completed/date line 510and to allow the customer to return to the following question whenreturning to the survey after completing only part of it. After storingthe response and related data, survey system 12 determines whether ornot there is a feedback page to be presented at this point in the surveyin step 190. If not, survey system 12 determines which question topresent next based on the business identification number and thecustomer's previous response, as shown in step 191. The method thenproceeds to step 184 where survey system 12 presents the nextappropriate question. However, if at step 190 it is determined thatthere is a feedback page to be presented, survey system 12 presents theappropriate feedback page with the comparison data compiled from theresponses of customers with the same or similar demographics as thecurrent customer, as shown in step 192. Survey system 12 will alsopresent a tally and percentages for each possible answer if the customerclicks on chart 530 or comparison statement 532.

While the customer is viewing the feedback page, he or she may alsoselect the information button 519, as shown in step 194, or the applybutton 520, as shown in step 200. If the customer selects theinformation button 519, survey system 12 presents the relatedinformation about the business' products and/or services, as shown instep 196. On the other hand, if the customer selects the apply button520, survey system 12 presents the related application for the business'products and/or services in step 202. After the customer has entered therequested information, survey system 12 formats the data and transmitsit to the completed application table 74 of matching database 24 in step204 for storage and later retrieval by the business. Survey system 12may automatically prepare and transmit an e-mail message to the businessto indicate that such an application has been received. Survey system 12may also store in matching database 24 the customer's identificationnumber, as well as data relating to whether the customer choseinformation button 519 or apply button 520 and whether the customersubmitted an application. This data may be used by business reportgenerator 51 to generate reports for business system 14.

While viewing the feedback page, the customer may also choose the surveysection selector 522, as shown in step 205. If the customer chooses toswitch to another survey section, survey system 12 will present theappropriate question as shown at step 184.

Also while viewing the feedback page, the customer may select the exitbutton 540, as shown in step 206. If the exit button 540 is selected,the customer is returned to the main menu 500 in step 148 of FIG. 5a.Otherwise, survey system 12 determines whether the survey section hasbeen completed, as shown in step 207. If the survey section has not beencompleted and the customer selects the next button 538, survey system 12presents the next question in step 184.

However, if the survey section has been completed, survey system 12displays a “what-if” page in step 208 of FIG. 5d . The “what-if” pagedisplays the information previously communicated to the customer in allthe feedback pages that are associated with that particular surveysection. Thus, previously displayed charts 530 and comparison statements532 are redisplayed for the customer to review. In addition, charts 530and comparison statements 532 are generated and displayed that relate totopics not presented to the customer during the survey. For example, ifduring the survey the customer responded to a question that he or sherents housing, questions regarding mortgage payments would not have beenpresented to that customer. However, the “what-if” page allows thecustomer to see the charts 530 and comparison statements 532 that wouldhave been presented in the feedback pages associated with themortgage-related questions. Survey system 12 will also display a tallyand percentages for each possible answer if the customer clicks on oneof the charts 530 or comparison statements 532.

While viewing the “what-if” page, the customer may choose to exit thepage and return to the main menu 500 in step 209. In this case, surveysystem 12 will return to step 148 in FIG. 5a. If the customer does notchoose to return to the main menu 500, survey system 12 continues todisplay the “what-if” page with the demographic of the customer or, ifadjustments are made by the customer as described below, with thehypothetical demographic.

While the customer is viewing the “what-if” page, he or she may alsoselect the information button 519, as shown in step 210, or the applybutton 520, as shown in step 212. If the customer selects theinformation button 519, survey system 12 presents the relatedinformation about the business' products and/or services, as shown instep 211. On the other hand, if the customer selects the apply button520, survey system 12 presents the related application for the business'products and/or services in step 213. After the customer has entered therequested information, survey system 12 formats the data and transmitsit to the completed application table 74 of matching database 24 in step214 for storage and later retrieval by the business. Survey system 12may automatically prepare and transmit an e-mail message to the businessto indicate that such an application has been received. Survey system 12may also store in matching database 24 the customer's identificationnumber, as well as data relating to whether the customer choseinformation button 519 or apply button 520 and whether the customersubmitted an application. This data may be used by business reportgenerator 51 to generate reports for business system 14.

While viewing the “what-if” page, the customer may also choose thesurvey section selector 522, as shown in step 215. If the customerchooses to switch to another survey section, survey system 12 willpresent the appropriate question as shown at step 184 of FIG. 5c.

The “what-if” page also allows the customer to make adjustments bymaking changes to his or her income level, number of children, educationlevel, or the like, as shown in step 216. Then survey system 12 displaysthe charts 530 and comparison statements 532 for the customer'shypothetical demographic, as shown in step 217. This allows the customerto see how his or her responses compare with others who have ademographic the customer expects or hopes to have in the future.

FIG. 6a is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention fromthe perspective of a user of business system 14, such as a businessrepresentative. Block 218 shows the business representative beginning byaccessing survey system 12. In block 220, survey system 12 presents tothe business representative a business menu that allows the businessrepresentative to choose from several different options. This embodimentincludes five options: demonstration, features, results, company, andcontact us.

FIG. 6a shows one path a business representative might take through thevarious menus offered by survey system 12. Other possible paths will bedescribed below. If the business representative selects the “results”option from the business menu, he or she will be presented with a loginscreen, as shown in block 222. At the login screen, the businessrepresentative will be prompted by survey system 12 to supplyidentifying information, such as a business identification number,password, or the like. Survey system 12 then compares this informationwith the data stored in authorized entry identification table 68 ofmatching database 24 to determine whether or not the user of businesssystem 14 should be granted access to the information stored in and thereports generated by survey system 12. If the business representativeenters invalid identifying information, as shown in block 224, surveysystem 12 provides an invalid menu that gives the businessrepresentative the option of resubmitting new identifying information orcontacting the survey management company. If the business representativechooses to contact the survey management company, survey system 12displays an e-mail page that prompts the business representative toenter the necessary information to notify the survey management companythat the identifying information is not being accepted. Otherwise, thebusiness representative is prompted to enter new identifying informationin block 222.

Once the identifying information has been validated, survey system 12provides an entry menu, as shown in block 226. At this screen, thebusiness representative may choose to access the customized survey forhis or her business, to access the reports prepared by survey system 12,to retrieve the applications submitted by users of customer system 16,or to perform administrative functions such as granting or removingauthorized entry status to users of business system 14. If the businessrepresentative chooses to access the reports, survey system 12 presentsa report menu, as shown in block 228. This report menu may compriseoptions such as customer response data, demographic profiles,TargetMatch, and InterestMatch. It will be understood that the reportmenu may comprise other suitable options without departing from thescope of this invention. Choosing InterestMatch allows the businessrepresentative to access the reports that show how likely users ofcustomer system 16 are to respond to marketing efforts for a particularproduct or service. For example, if the business representative selectsInterestMatch, survey system 12 presents an InterestMatch menu, as shownin block 230. This InterestMatch menu may list any or all of thebusiness' products and services.

Next the business representative chooses an analysis report for aspecific product or service, such as Product B. As shown in block 232,this will cause survey system 12 to present yet another menu, allowingthe business representative to choose between such options as“demographic data only” or “all data.” These options allow the businessrepresentative to choose what types of data to use as a basis for thereports. Choosing “demographic data only” will cause business reportgenerator 51 to generate a report based only on the customers'demographic data. Choosing “all data” will cause business reportgenerator 51 to generate a report based on demographic data,psychographic data, and all other data. Psychographic data includesbehavioral characteristics of each customer. This data is obtained fromthe customers' responses to the survey questions relating to behavior orlifestyle. For example, reports generated from demographic data onlycould be based on each customer's income level. However, reportsgenerated from all data could also be based on each customer's responseto a question about how much money he or she would give away afterunexpectedly receiving a large amount of money. Thus, these reportswould be based not only on the factual demographic information providedby the customer, but also on less tangible behavioral factors that canbe measured through his or her survey responses. It will be understoodthat other suitable options may be presented by survey system 12 onwhich to base reports without departing from the scope of thisinvention.

Once the business representative decides on this option, survey system12 displays the analysis of the data associated with the pre-selectedproduct or service. This analysis may include probabilities that weredetermined by using a commercially available statistical processingprogram, such as one provided by Statistical Product & ServiceSolutions. According to one embodiment of the present invention, inputdata for the statistical processing program may be retrieved by surveysystem 12 from matching database 24 and may comprise the businessidentification number, the specific product or service (dependentvariable), customer identification numbers, customer demographics(attributes), and customer responses (attributes). The statisticalprocessing program may then segment the data and predict probabilitiesof purchase. This may be accomplished by detecting the influence ofattributes on the dependent variable, modeling continuous andnon-continuous data and missing data, detecting statisticallysignificant differences among groups of customers, mergingnon-significant groups of data, and creating decision rules. The outputdata from the statistical processing program may comprise profilenumbers, profile rules, profile attributes, and profile probabilities.At this point, survey system 12 may extract the customer identificationnumbers from matching database 24 that match the profile attributes inthe profile rules. Survey system 12 may then remove the customeridentification numbers of those customers who indicated they alreadyhave the product or are using the service. Business report generator 51may then generate a report for each profile showing the remainingcustomer identification numbers, the profile number, the profileprobabilities, and the profile attributes. Returning to our exampleusing Product B, survey system 12 may then present the report forProduct B by listing the encrypted identification numbers of users ofcustomer system 16 along with the probabilities that the customers withthose identification numbers will purchase Product B. This is shown inblock 234.

FIG. 6b is a screen shot showing an exemplary report 554 for a businessrepresentative generated by business report generator 51. This exampleincludes a basis statement 556 that notifies the business representativewhich data was used to prepare the report 554. The report 554 may alsoinclude a product/service identifier 558. Columns in the report 554 mayinclude customer identification number 560, probability of purchase 562,and link to probability profile 564. FIG. 6b also shows a probabilityprofile 566 that might be displayed if a business representative selectsa particular link in the link-to-probability-profile column 564. Theinformation displayed in probability profile 566 would show the businessrepresentative which attributes in the profile were shared by users ofcustomer system 16 that have the associated probability of purchase.This probability profile 566 may comprise three columns, such as profilenumber 567, probability 568, and profile description 570. Profile numbercolumn 567 would identify the corresponding probability profile, asshown in the link-to-probability-profile column 564. Probability column568 would repeat the probability of purchase as shown in theprobability-of-purchase column 562 of the report 554. Profiledescription column 570 would show the profile attributes associated withthat set of customers. The profile may be a group of commoncharacteristics of the set of customers who share the same probabilityof purchase. This profile may include demographic as well aspsychographic data.

Returning to FIG. 6a, the business representative could select optionsother than InterestMatch from the report menu in block 228. If thebusiness representative selected customer response data, business reportgenerator 51 would present customer demographic and survey responsedata. This data could be presented in a spreadsheet, in a comma or tabdelimited file, or by any other suitable method or format. If thebusiness representative selected the “demographic profiles” option,business report generator 51 would present graphical depictions of thedemographic data for users of customer system 16.

If the business representative selected the TargetMatch option from thereport menu, business report generator 51 would present informationregarding users of customer system 16 who had previously requestedinformation on or applications for particular products or services. Thisinformation could be presented either as month-to-date or year-to-datetallies or as a list of encrypted customer identification numbers.

FIG. 6c is a screen shot depicting one embodiment of a TargetMatchreport 600 prepared according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. Every time a customer selects information button 519 or applybutton 520, survey system 12 may store that customer's identificationnumber in matching database 24 along with the corresponding selectionmade by the customer. Survey system 12 may also store similar data eachtime a customer submits an application. When a business representativeselects TargetMatch as an option from report menu, business reportgenerator 51 may generate in real time a TargetMatch report 600 from thedata previously stored in matching database 24. As shown in FIG. 6c,TargetMatch report 600 may comprise both monthly and yearly tallies foreach customer selection, such as information tally, apply tally andsubmit tally. These tallies may be further broken down into separatetallies for each product or service which may be presented when thebusiness representative makes his or her selection. Thus, as shown inTargetMatch report 600, during this year, ten customers have selectedthe information button to view information regarding credit cards, fivecustomers have selected the apply button in connection with creditcards, and two customers have actually submitted an application for acredit card. According to one embodiment of the present invention, thebusiness representative may click on any of the numbers listed inTargetMatch report 600 for more information. Business report generator51 may then generate in real time a list of customer identificationnumbers that identify to the business those customers who requested theinformation or application or who submitted an application. Thus, thebusiness may use this as a tool to target marketing efforts for aspecific product or service to a particular customer who has shown aninterest by requesting information or an application, but who did notsubmit an application.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a businessrepresentative would have the option of choosing “results tracking &measurement” from the menu presented in block 232 of FIG. 6a. This wouldcause survey system 12 to present a chart listing each customer'sidentification number along with the probability of purchase for thatcustomer as reported to the business by survey system 12. The businessrepresentative would then be asked to supply information regarding eachcustomer, such as whether or not targeted marketing was performed andwhether or not that customer purchased the associated product orservice. This information supplied by the business representative wouldthen be used by survey system 12 to refine the algorithms used todetermine probabilities of purchase, which would make future predictionsof probabilities more accurate.

FIG. 6d is a screen shot depicting one embodiment of the business menu620 presented by survey system 12 in block 220 of FIG. 6a. From thebusiness menu 620, the business representative could choose the optionof results 626, as described above. The business representative couldalso select other options from the business menu 620. If the businessrepresentative selected demonstration 622, survey system 12 wouldpresent to the business representative a series of demonstration screensto show the business representative how survey system 12 functions.Selecting features 624 would allow the business representative to viewinformation regarding the various features offered by survey system 12,while selecting company 628 would allow the business representative toview information regarding the survey management company. Finally, ifthe business representative selected the “contact us” option 630, surveysystem 12 would present an e-mail page that would prompt the businessrepresentative to enter the necessary information to notify the surveymanagement company that the business representative would like moreinformation or would like to set up a survey system for potential and/orexisting customers.

The present invention benefits the business by allowing it to surveyspecific customers and to identify ones of such customers that mightwant to purchase particular products or services. This is accomplishedby encouraging the customer to complete a series of profiling questions.The customer wants to do this because at the end of the process thecustomer can compare his situation relative to his peers. The customeris also allowed to explore various “what-if” scenarios to see how hisrelative position changes when various elements of his demographics arealtered. Accordingly, the customer receives valuable evaluativeinformation as a result of the process and the business receivesinformation that allows for highly-defined targeted marketing efforts.All of this may be accomplished in the convenient, non-intrusiveenvironment of an on-line interaction.

Accordingly, an integrated system is provided that prepares customizedsurveys, characterizes existing and potential customers, submits surveysto customers, stores responses to surveys, allows customers to retrieveproduct and service information, allows customers to apply for specificproducts and services, and prepares reports for businesses to use fortargeted marketing. In addition, this system provides graphical reportsfor customers that compare their responses to the responses of otherswith the same or similar demographics. This system also allows acustomer to provide information regarding financial goals and tographically ascertain what adjustments need to be made to meet thosegoals.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described by theforegoing detailed description, it will be understood by those skilledin the art that various other changes in form and detail may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A method of compiling customer data using an online interactionbetween a customer and a survey system, comprising: providing, by acomputer, the customer with customer questions; receiving, by thecomputer, responses to the customer questions from the customer;storing, by the computer, data associated with the responses in thesurvey system; providing, by the computer, the customer with a feedbackpage, graphically illustrating data associated with corresponding to thecustomer's standing in a selected peer group associated with thecustomer; providing, by the computer, the customer with options operableto adjust the customer's actual demographic to a hypotheticaldemographic; receiving and processing, by the computer, data associatedwith hypothetical demographic changes from the customer; and displaying,by the computer, hypothetical feedback information, graphicallyillustrating the hypothetical standing of the customer within theselected peer group such that the customer can see the effect of thehypothetical demographic changes.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecustomer questions comprise a primary set of questions and a secondaryset of questions.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the primary set ofquestions relates to the customer's demographic and wherein thecustomer's demographic includes personal information about the customer.4. The method of claim 2, wherein the secondary set of questions forms aplurality of survey sections and wherein the secondary set of questionscomprises both questions that relate to a business' products or servicesand questions that relate to the customer's psychographic traits.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the customer question provided is chosenbased on the customer's response to the previous customer question andon a business identification number.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe feedback page is generated based on the customer's responses to thecustomer questions.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the possibleanswers to the customer questions include graphics illustrative of andassociated with at least some of the answers.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising presenting, by the computer, the customer with anonline option associated with an opportunity to gain pertinentinformation related to and apply for or purchase products or services.9. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending, by the computer, amessage to a business offering the products or services regarding theapplication or request for the products or services.
 10. A method ofcompiling customer data using an online interaction between a customerand a survey system, comprising: providing the customer with customerquestions; receiving responses to the customer questions from thecustomer; storing data associated with the responses in the surveysystem; providing the customer with a feedback page, graphicallyillustrating data associated with the customer's standing in a selectedpeer group; providing the customer with options operable to adjust thecustomer's actual demographic to a hypothetical demographic; receivingand processing data associated with hypothetical demographic, changesfrom the customer; displaying hypothetical feedback information,graphically illustrating the hypothetical standing of the customerwithin the selected peer group such that the customer can see the effectof the hypothetical demographic changes; The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, by the computer, a business identification numberand a customer identification number; matching, by the computer, thebusiness identification number with data in at least one table;matching, by the computer, the customer identification number with datain at least one table; and generating, by the computer, data sets fordisplay based on the data in the at least one table.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising providing, by the computer, a business withcompiled customer profile information where the customer is identifiedas a particular existing customer of the business.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising providing, by the computer, percentagecompletion and date information to the customer based on the percentageof the customer questions that have been answered by the customer andthe date of the most recent visit to the survey system by the customer.13. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing, by thecomputer, goal planners to the customer.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the goal planners include output graphics associated with theoutput of the goal planners and wherein the output graphics change inreal time in response to changes in the input to the goal planners. 15.A customer survey system, comprising: a business interface operable tointeract with a data processing system associated with a business; acustomer interface operable to interact with a data processing systemassociated with a customer; and a survey system operable to supply thecustomer data processing system with customer questions, receive andstore responses, provide a feedback page, provide what-if options,receive hypothetical demographic changes, and display hypotheticalfeedback information.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the customerquestion provided is chosen based on the customer's response to theprevious customer question and on a business identification number. 17.The system of claim 15, wherein the feedback page is generated based onthe customer's responses to the customer questions.
 18. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the survey system is further operable to present thecustomer with an online option associated with an opportunity to gainpertinent information related to and apply for or purchase products orservices.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the survey system isfurther operable to send a message to a business offering the productsor services regarding the application or request for the products orservices.
 20. A customer survey system, comprising: a business interfaceoperable to interact with a data processing system associated with abusiness; a customer interface operable to interact with a dataprocessing system associated with a customer; a survey system operableto supply the customer data processing system with customer questions,receive and store responses, provide a feedback page, provide what-ifoptions, receive hypothetical demographic changes, display hypotheticalfeedback information, receive a business identification number and acustomer identification number, match the business identification numberwith data in at least one table, match the customer identificationnumber with data in at least one table, and generate data sets fordisplay based on the data in the at least one table.
 21. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the survey system is further operable to providepercentage completion and date information to the customer based on thepercentage of the customer questions that have been answered by thecustomer and the date of the most recent visit to the survey system bythe customer.
 22. The system of claim 15, wherein the survey system isfurther operable to generate data sets for display based on dataaccessed in at least one table and wherein the data accessed by thesurvey system is associated with a specific business or customer.
 23. Acustomer survey system, comprising: a business interface operable tointeract with a data processing system associated with a business; acustomer interface operable to interact with a data processing systemassociated with a customer; and a survey system operable to supply thebusiness data processing system with targeted marketing reports, thetargeted marketing reports dynamically generated based on a set ofdecision rules, the set of decision rules dynamically generated based ondata received from the customers.
 24. The system of claim 23, whereinthe targeted marketing reports comprise a probability associated with atleast one customer regarding the likelihood that the customer willpurchase a specific product or service.
 25. The system of claim 24,wherein the survey system is further operable to generate targetedadvertisements for each customer based on the data in the targetedmarketing reports.
 26. The method of claim 13, further comprising:receiving, by the computer, goal input data from the customer, the goalinput data related to a goal associated with the goal planners; andstoring, by the computer, the goal input data for the customer.
 27. Thesystem of claim 15, the survey system further operable to provide goalplanners to the customer, to receive coal input data from the customer,the goal input data related to a goal associated with the goal planners,and to store the coal input data for the customer.
 28. The system ofclaim 15, the survey system further operable to generate targetedadvertisements for each customer based on data received from thecustomers.